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Track Champions

Top Hats Awarded As Rail Splitter Nationals Signel End Of Season At Spoon River

May NC

The 2016 season at Spoon River Speedway came to a close Saturday night with the 2^nd running of the Railsplitter Nationals, featuring some of the highest purses in the country for Pro Late Model, D2 Midget, and E-mod racing divisions.

And those purses drew interest outside the area as drivers from all over Illinois were joined by those from Iowa, Indiana, Ohio and Oklahoma were entered among the 98 cars in attendance spread over four divisions.

The UMP Pro Late Model Division is the featured Division at the Railsplitter Nationals, as the winner’s share of the purse - $2,500 – makes it one of the largest in the nation.

Also at stake was the UMP Pro Late Model National Championship, along with Regional Championship and Track Championship Crowns. AJ May, in his first full season in the Division after rising through the ranks of the UMP Modified Division the previous seasons, was already assured of the Spoon River Speedway Crown before the night’s events, but defending UMP National Champion Jose Parga was within striking distance for the Regional and National Championships.

But in order to cut into May’s lead in National points enough to win the championship, Parga needed not only to finish well ahead of May in the night’s feature event, but needed a field of 29 cars to be able to achieve enough in bonus points to catch and pass the leader. 21 cars checked in prior to qualifying, and after the heats completed and the feature lineup set, it was official, May would be the 2016 UMP National Champion.

Rail Splitter Nationals Set as Season Finale At Spoon

Rail Splitter Flyer

This Saturday Night September 24^th will be the Season Ending 2^nd running of the Rail Splitter Nationals featuring the Perkins Seed House UMP Pro Late Models running 60 laps for $2500 to win. Look for all the top driver’s in the nation to be in attendance as the points battle will come down to this final point race of the season for the National Championship. The Zane Automotive Service UMP Modifieds will also be on hand running 30 laps for $2000 to win. The USAC/IMRA Speed 2 Midgets sponsored by NuTech Seed will run for the biggest purse ever paid out for this division as the 30 lap feature winner will take home $1500. A huge car count is expected as driver’s from all over the Midwest will be at Spoon to do battle to see who will be the first Rail Splitter Champion. To finish out the racing card will be the Farmington Locker E-Mods paying the 30 lap feature winner $1000. The top 9 driver’s in each division will do the frisbee give away which determines the feature starting positions. This will also be the last night for track points with three of the four classes running, still up for grabs. Fans and drivers will also vote for awards to be handed out at Spoon’s annual banquet later in the year.

Pit Gate opens at 3 with the Grandstands opening at 5. Hot laps are scheduled for 6 followed by time trials in Pro Lates, Modifieds and E-Mods. Racing to begin around 7:15.

General Admission $20 with Kids 10 and under FREE. All Pit Passes $40. Transponder Rental $10

Rain Date is Sunday September 25th

UMP Pro Late Models must have LM 40’s on all four corners.

ONLY UMP Pro Late Engines ALLOWED (GM FACTORY 604 or 602, UMP Seal 604, NE Smith Seal 604)

Driver’s will ONLY be allowed to compete in ONE division.

Payout can be viewed on our website below the normal night payout.

Throw Back To The Past Night Set For This Saturday Night Sept 17th

This Saturday Night will be a Throw Back to the Past as General Admission will only be $8 with Kids 10 and Under Free. All Pit Passes will be $25 with NO transponder Fee this weekend. Saturday Nights purse will be based on the backgate. 100% of the back gate will be paid out for each division based on how many people per class enters the pits by 6 o’clock. So make sure to have all your people there by 6. We have some sponsors that have donated for the purse like Zane’s Automotive Service, Monicals Pizza, Davis Ford and Pontiac and Denney Racing. So before you even enter the gate Modifieds have $700 in their kitty, Pro Lates have $600 in their kitty and E-Mods have $500 in their kitty. An example is posted below. The more per division you get in the pits the more the payout, just like the old days. So lets fill up the pits and Grandstands Saturday Night. We will also time Modifieds, Pro L/M and E-Mods and when the races are complete we will allow you 45 minutes for a test and tune to get your cars setup for next weekends Rail Splitter Nationals then its lights out. Make sure someone comes up and gets their check within those 45 minutes. Lets hope for good weather and I will see everyone Saturday Night.